CW Blog

Solar-powered photonic cooling enables energy-saving coating

Passive cooling technology can reduce interior temperatures 5-13°C, offering weight, cost and CO2 benefits for cars, construction, aircraft and more.

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Application

Multi-material, self-sensing, 3D-printed scoliosis braces

Startup Fited and Brightlands Materials Center have developed a lighter weight, thinner CFRP corrective brace, including pressure sensors made from continuous carbon fibers.

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Carbon Fibers

From the CW Archives: Airbus A400M cargo door

The inaugural CW From the Archives revisits Sara Black’s 2007 story on out-of-autoclave infusion used to fabricate the massive composite upper cargo door for the Airbus A400M military airlifter.

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Economics

Composites industry heads into slightly accelerated contraction in November

The GBI: Composites Fabricating in November continued its general slow-going path of contraction that began in April 2023.

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Editorial

Reconnecting with the composites industry

CW reflects on this year’s CAMX, the current state of the composites industry and looks ahead to 2024.

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Work In Progress

The potential for thermoplastic composite nacelles

Collins Aerospace draws on global team, decades of experience to demonstrate large, curved AFP and welded structures for the next generation of aircraft.

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Thermoplastics

Welding is not bonding

Discussion of the issues in our understanding of thermoplastic composite welded structures and certification of the latest materials and welding technologies for future airframes.

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Troubleshooter

Nondestructive inspection methods available to composites manufacturers

An overview of composite laminate inspection techniques ranging from manual testing methods to more advanced, noncontact options.

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Thermoplastics

Thermoplastic composite, tube-shaped preforms for large-volume manufacturing

Starting with the sporting goods and bicycle market, French startup 3DiTex targets its continuous preforming system for thermoformable, thermoplastic composite tubes in complex geometries.

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Automation

Increased molding productivity via additive manufacturing

Companies in multiple segments turn to 3D printing for end-of-arm tools, fixtures for increased safety and functionality, lower cost and faster turnaround times.

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Sustainability

Bio-based SiC ceramics from wood polymer composites

Austrian research institute Wood K plus makes 95% silicon carbide ceramics more sustainable (>85% bio/recycled content), enables 3D shapes via extrusion, injection molding and 3D printing.

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Aerospace

Infinite Composites: Type V tanks for space, hydrogen, automotive and more

After a decade of proving its linerless, weight-saving composite tanks with NASA and more than 30 aerospace companies, this CryoSphere pioneer is scaling for growth in commercial space and sustainable transportation on Earth.

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Composite raw materials